Barca, Inter agree Ibrahimovic for Eto'o swap

Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring a third goal against Siena during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan in this May 17, 2009 file photo.

Reuters/Alessandro Garofalo/Files

MADRID Barcelona and Inter Milan have reached an agreement in principle to swap Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Barca forward Samuel Eto'o plus cash, the Primera Liga and European champions said on Friday.

The conclusion of the deal depends on the Sweden and Cameroon internationals agreeing personal terms, Barca president Joan Laporta was quoted on the Catalan club's website (www.fcbarcelona.cat) as telling a news conference.

Barca did not specify the amount of cash involved but Spanish media reported it was about 40 million euros ($56 million) and that Barca's Belarus midfielder Aleksandr Hleb would be heading to Inter on loan as part of the deal.

Barcelona said Laporta wanted to make clear a final deal had not been completed and the club were still considering other options, including the purchase of Valencia striker David Villa.

"The Ibrahimovic deal is not done and dusted and it would be too early to say which of the two options is the most satisfactory," Laporta said. "In the end we will choose the option that is best for Barca."

Ibrahimovic would be Barca's second buy of the close season following their purchase of Inter's Brazilian left back Maxwell, which was completed earlier on Friday for a fee of 4.5 million euros rising to a possible 5 million.

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